Ford to use two custom-built Rangers at 2014 Dakar Rally

Ford is proud to reveal they will participate at next year’s Dakar Rally with two specially-made Rangers. The vehicles have been developed by Neil Woolridge Motorsport and have been manufactured in South Africa. Motivation for the vehicles comes from a 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 349 bhp (260 kW) at 4,500 rpm and 413 lb-ft (560 Nm) of torque at 4,100 rpm. The vehicles will take part in the 2014 Dakar Rally which is going to take place in South America next January between 5 and 18. You might want to know this Ranger needs 90 liters / 100 km when racing on sand and 28 liters / 100 km on normal conditions.

The vehicle stops efficiently thanks to the Brembo braking kit which encompasses front air-cooled brake and rear water-cooled brakes. Other highlights of the Dakar-spec Ford Ranger include independent front and rear suspensions, 16-inch Evocorse alloys wrapped around in Michelin 245/85 tires, along with front and rear antiroll bars. The car tips the scales at 4,354 lbs (1,975 kg) and Ford says it can achieve a maximum speed of 106 mph (170 km/h).
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It will have to travel over a distance of 8,500 km (5,282 miles) across 13 stages, starting from Rosario, Argentina and crossing the finish line in Valparaiso, Chile.